The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 World Cup: the semifinal between England and Argentina at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday, July 15. FIFA has officially appointed Ismail Elfath, a 44-year-old American referee, to oversee the game—a decision that has sparked interest given Elfath’s unique background and history with Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi.

Elfath’s selection stands out because FIFA chose a referee from one of the host nations over UEFA officials, despite Europe having the largest representation of referees in this tournament phase. Elfath will be supported by fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins on the sidelines, with Italians Maurizio Mariani and Daniele Bindoni serving as fourth official and assistant, respectively. The VAR team will be announced later.

Born in Casablanca, Morocco, and emigrating to the U.S. at 18, Elfath has been an international referee since 2016. This will be his fourth match in the 2026 World Cup, having previously officiated group stage games between the Netherlands and Japan (2-2), and Spain versus Uruguay (1-0)—a match where his decisions, including a red card for Uruguay’s Agustín Canobbio, drew criticism from European fans for allowing physical play from the South Americans. His most recent assignment was the round of 16 clash where Norway upset Brazil 2-1. That match featured a controversial moment when Elfath initially denied a penalty for Brazil but reversed his call after VAR intervention.

Throughout the tournament, Elfath has handed out eight yellow cards and one red, reflecting his firm but fair approach. Notably, he has twice been named MLS Referee of the Year (2020 and 2022).

What adds an intriguing layer to Elfath’s role is his history with Lionel Messi and the Argentine team. He has refereed Messi five times in Major League Soccer with Inter Miami, including the 2023 Leagues Cup final victory over Nashville. Internationally, Elfath has officiated Argentina in a 2018 friendly against Colombia, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics draw with Spain, and the 2019 U-20 World Cup win over Portugal. He also served as fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final where Argentina triumphed over France.

This background is particularly relevant amid ongoing debates about refereeing fairness in the tournament. After the round of 16, Egypt’s Football Association accused officials of bias, a sentiment echoed by Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin following the controversial red card of Breel Embolo in the quarterfinals.

As the England-Argentina semifinal approaches, Elfath’s appointment brings both experience and a nuanced connection to the teams involved, promising a match officiated with a deep understanding of the game’s high stakes and historic rivalries.